Sustainability
Growing Responsible Citizens for a Greener Future
At Gayhurst school, sustainability isn’t a one-off project, it’s woven into the rhythm of school life. We want every child to understand their role as a steward of the planet, and we give them meaningful opportunities to think critically, take action and make a difference. Through a range of initiatives, projects, and hands-on learning experiences, pupils develop habits that support a greener future.
Below is a snapshot of some of the initiatives, challenges, and celebrations that shape our year.
Every Day Eco Habits
Around school, pupils encounter tips, facts, and reminders that encourage sustainable choices, from switching off lights to reducing plastic use and recycling correctly.
Whole School Eco Challenges
We love a challenge, and our pupils rise to them with enthusiasm and creativity.
Zero House Waste Challenge – January 2026
Our weekly House Waste Challenge encourages pupils to rethink what they throw away. This year, pupils successfully reduced their lunchtime waste by 2kg per week — and are continuing the project throughout the academic year.
Food Waste Action Week – 9 March
Children explore how food is grown, transported, and sometimes wasted. Through assemblies, activities, and hands-on tasks, they learn how small changes can have a big impact.
Great British Spring Clean – 13 March
Armed with gloves, bags, and determination, pupils help tidy our local community, learning the value of civic responsibility.
Global Recycling Day – 18 March
We shine a spotlight on recycling systems, the importance of re-use, and the environmental cost of single-use plastics – especially snack wrappers.
Special Events & Community Engagement
World Environment Day – 5 June
We celebrate with pop-up activities, outdoor learning, and pupil-led initiatives.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to expand our partnerships with charities and the wider community, giving pupils even more opportunities to take meaningful action beyond the school gates.
Eco Education Throughout the Year
Eco Assembly
Our Eco Team leads assemblies that highlight environmental issues, celebrate successes, and inspire the school to join their campaigns.
Eco Club
From building habitats and monitoring wildlife to planting and nurturing new growth, Eco Club gives children hands-on experience with the natural world.
Sustainability House & Form Leaders
Each house and form elects sustainability leaders who champion eco-friendly behaviour and help drive whole-school initiatives.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
We introduce pupils to the UN Global Goals, helping them understand how local actions contribute to global change.
Paper Challenge
Staff and pupils work together to reduce printing and paper use. Children also explore the importance of trees through visits to our nearby woodland.
Earth Day – 21 April
A highlight of our eco calendar, Earth Day brings themed workshops, outdoor learning, and pupil-led campaigns.
Water Awareness
· September Water Audit – Pupils investigate how much water we use and where we can save.
STEAM Week: Rivers
Children study river systems, water cycles, and conservation.
May: Water Saving Month
Practical tips, challenges, and experiments help pupils understand the value of this precious resource.
Energy Week – Winter Term
Pupils explore where energy comes from, how much we use, and how we can reduce our footprint.
Gayhurst School Site
Gayhurst School’s commitment to sustainability extends to every area of the school site and every decision made about the operations of the school.
Our newest buildings are as energy efficient as we can make them, they are heavily insulated with air source heat pumps, passive ventilation, solar panels, motion sensor LED lighting and efficient zoned heating controls.
We monitor and manage energy to reduce waste and to run the site as cost-efficiently as possible with zoned heating controls to reduce consumption. Electricity supplies are from renewable sources.
We strive for efficient water management with auto turn off taps in all toilets and rain water collection containers around the site for watering plants.
Our catering team plays a key role in environmentally responsible choices. They use seasonal and locally sourced ingredients as much as possible and offer both vegetarian and vegan main course options every day. Reusable or compostable containers or packaging are used and food waste reduction is a constant process.
Waste management is an ongoing project across the school; we have separated food waste for many years and work hard with the catering team to reduce food waste. The pupils have a house competition to reduce plate waste and there is a staff “leftovers” scheme. Single use plastics are reduced as far as possible with only cling film proving difficult to replace. Recycling bins are used in all classrooms and offices with additional recycling of batteries, WEEE and printer cartridges. Our second hand uniform shop, run by the GPA, allows for re-use of school uniforms.
Our school grounds provide vital habitats for wildlife and outdoor learning. We have bird and bat boxes across the site, we have planted native species hedgerows to encourage birds and insects. We have planters for the children to grow flowers and vegetables and a herb garden used by our catering team.
We encourage safe, active and low‑carbon travel to our school including daily park and stride initiatives as well as walk to school weeks and a bike and scooter shelter.
In 2025 Gayhurst School was awarded the Eco schools green flag award.
Hi, I'm Eldric!
You’ll be seeing lots of me! I’m here to help guide you on your way through our school and to give you the encouragement and tools you need to get to grips with our school philosophy!
Enriching Learning, Developing Resilience, Independence and Confidence
